Modular purse system

ABSTRACT

A handbag system consisting of a plurality of independent purse modules capable of functioning independently of one another and each having fastening means for securing one or two more of the separate pieces together to become a singular purse in the style and size preferred that can be two, three, four, five or more modules put together. The module purse system also includes a variety of sets of completion fastener covers, specifically designed to allow each of the purse modules to function independently or as an assembly of modules. Furthermore, as a part of this modular purse system, these sets of fastener covers can be organized in a manner on material, so that each set of fastener covers can be attached on to other accessories, including wearable accessories and then be worn individually as a wearable accessory, including a bracelet, necklace, anklet, hat band, belt or even as a wearable pet accessory, including a cat collar, dog collar or animal or dog leash. Additionally these wearable or non-wearable accessories serve as a method to organize and to store the decorative fastener covers when they are note in use. The system of storage for the fastener cover function as wearable accessories, as well as a method to organize and store the sets of fastener covers for a time when they are used on a purse module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to purses and purse systems and purse setsand more specifically to purse systems that include detachable,functional and decorative modules and decor.

2. Description of the Related Art

Women often own several purses, for different reasons, relating to bothfunction and fashion, and yet often for economic and creative reasons,they desire that one purse or purse system could be more adaptive andchameleon like for reasons relating to both function and fashion. Thereare known purse systems that have tried to solve the problems related tohaving one purse system be utilized for several needs. Women oftendesire that one purse system can be constructed and re-constructed in away so that a single purse can be used for both casual and formaloccasions, be used when less or more compartmentalization is desired andbe coordinated for various clothing or colors or jewelry reasons.Previously, many purse systems were of the decorative design type inwhich added decorations were fastened and unfastened on top of a singlepurse, but the problem persisted that ultimately the one decorated pursestill ultimately looked like the same one basic purse, with a differentdecor on top of it.

Other purse systems approached the problem from a more functionalallocation perspective. Previous purse systems allocated specificcompartments or modules for specific uses, for example, cosmetics case,wallet and other compartments, that detaches or fits inside each other,but this limits versatility, as functionality is so rigidly defined thatsize is therefore determined by function. Typically there is still onlyone primary purse in previous purse systems, with the other aspects orpieces being delegated as add-ons or inserts for one basic purse.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Style, size and storage versatility and multiplicity of purses andaccessories in one modular purse system for economic and fashion reasonsare objects of the present invention. Toward these ends, the presentinvention comprises a purse module system composed of separate pursesection modules, fasteners to connect and disconnect the separate pursemodules, fastener covers to cover male and female fasteners, fastenercovers storage sets designed to be multi-functional as wearableaccessories, purse closures, optional exposed or hidden pockets, variousstraps allowing the user to arrange and rearrange many separatecomponents to create one or multiple fully-functioning individualpurses. The purse module fasteners are able to connect with other pursemodule as the fasteners and accessories as they are inline and also atleast two of the snaps of each module or accessory are spaced apart fromeach other by equal distance of each other, so that they may engage eachother. Equal distance spacing is on both sides of each purse module andalso corresponds to system accessories and attachments.

Furthermore it is another object of the invention is to allow the userto create one or more than one fully functioning, different stand-alonepurses from each purse module system. The present invention will allowthe user to create from one modular purse system, one or multipleindividual purses to the user's specific desire in terms of dimension,color, quantity of functioning pockets and decorative decor.

It is another object of the present invention for the versatility andmultiplicity of purses and accessories to be simple and also to befashion forward. Toward these ends the simple method in which theseparate purse modules are attached and detached to each other, alongwith the simple method to decorate each separate module with included orlater obtained fastener covers, allows the user to have a purse thateasily transitions for a single compartment purse, to a doublecompartment purse, with or without an exterior pocket, to a triplecompartment purse, with none, one or two exterior pockets to a pursethat can have numerous compartments, such as four, five or six or seven.The present invention allows the user to specifically arrange the pursemodules to have zero, one or two exposed outer pockets so that the outervisible pockets function to provide more storage room and to function tostore things that require quicker access to, such as a mobile phone,keys or parking claim tickets. The present invention allows the user tohave a more formal appearing purse by not exposing external pockets oneither or both side modules. The present invention purse modular systemallows the user to put together purses comprised of one or numerouscombinations of purse modules and purse modular fasteners to createnumerous purses of various dimensions and appearances. The presentinvention purse modular system also allows the user to have individualpurse modules each be comprise of two very different colors anddifferent patterns on each side of it, and by flipping the purse moduleover, the user can reveal or expose a different color, while hiding theother color or pattern and this adds to the versatility function of thepurse modular system.

Furthermore, there are a variety of sets of fastener covers included inthe system or added later that allow any combination of modules to besecure and to have a completed look, offering a variety of formal,casual or funky looks, whatever the user desires. As color blocking hasbecome more and more popular in fashion, it is noted that the modularpurse system allows the user to constantly re-assemble a purse to haveone solid color for all the modules for a more traditional style, or toassemble a purse to have modules of different colors, giving a trendy,fashion forward color blocked look. Patterns and prints on various pursemodules are also available and add to the versatility of the pursemodular system.

Furthermore it is the object of the present invention to provide theuser with a variety of very different styles, various different purselengths and to that end, the present invention comprises more than onestyle of purse strap, that can allow the user to have a shoulder strap,a wristlet strap or choose to wear a purse module strapless.

Furthermore it is the object of the present invention to provide theuser with a system that allows the user to attach one or more pursemodules onto a belt, giving the person access to a functioning beltpurse.

Furthermore it is another object of the present invention to provide theuser with a variety of fashion options including attachable fringe,which can be of various lengths and materials and are connected to apurse section module with fasteners that interchange with the fastenersalready used to connect the various purse section modules.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the user withfunctioning, fashionable wearable coordinated accessories, and so tothis end the present invention that is composed of functioning anddecorative purse fastener covers storage sets can also function asfashionable bracelets, necklaces, anklets, belts and hatbands. To havemulti-purpose purse fastener covers storage sets, which can alsofunction as wearable accessories, allows the user versatility andmultiplicity, and accommodates fashion and economic desires. Themultiple purse fastener covers include snap covers of different shapes,sizes and materials and also include fringe extensions as an option aswell.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the user withfunctioning coordinated pet accessories, so to this end the presentinvention which is composed of functioning and decorative purse fastenercovers storage sets, can also function as dog leashes, dog collars andcat collars. To have multi-purpose purse fastener covers storage setswhich can also function also as wearable pet accessories, allows theuser versatility and multiplicity, and accommodates fashion and economicdesires.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be set forth in part in the description which follows,and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponexamination of the following, or may be learned from practice of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like referencenumerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the present invention in anassembled state.

FIG. 2 is an overhead perspective showing the present invention in atypical embodiment configuring the three purse modules attached to eachother and showing them assembled in a singular purse configuration.

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic perspective view, showing a purseembodiment of three purse modules and how the center module with aconnected strap is connected to two separate side purse modules thateach have a pocket on one side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracelet embodiment, which functionsas a bracelet fashion accessory and also functions as a storage systemfor snap covers that can be used to cover exposed snaps on various pursemodules.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracelet embodiment, which functionsas a wider bracelet fashion accessory and also functions as a storagesystem for several snap covers. These snap covers can be removed fromthe bracelet and placed over exposed snaps on one or more than one pursemodules, when those specific purse modules are not connected on eitherone or both sides to another purse module.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an animal leash embodiment which functionsboth as a coordinated or unique animal leash, and also functions as partof the purse modular storage system. In this particular embodiment ofthe animal leash, there are several snaps in which the snap covers comeoff and can be attached to cover the snaps on one or more purse modules,when the snaps on the purse modules are not in use being connected toone or more purse modules.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an animal collar embodiment, whichfunctions both as a coordinated or unique animal collar, and as part ofthe purse modular storage system. In this particular embodiment of theanimal collar, there are several snaps in which the snap covers come offand can be attached to cover the snaps on one or more purse modules whenthe snaps are not in use being connected to one or more purse modules.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a purse embodiment of a side pursemodule (without the attached shoulder strap) and configuring it to havean attachable wristlet strap. In this embodiment the wristlet has adetachable snap head cover to coordinate or to be unique with any sidepurse module.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a purse embodiment of a center pursemodule with an attached strap and configuring it with a detachablefringe with snaps module.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are illustrations, from two different angles,showing a bracelet with an attachable fringe with snaps module, that canbe used as a coordinated or unique accessory and the bracelet alsofunctions as a storage module for the fringe with snaps module.

FIG. 11 is an exploded schematic perspective view, showing a pursecomposed of five purse modules in which, there are two purse moduleswith straps and three side purse modules (that do not have straps), witheach purse modules connected to one or two other purse modules withfasteners.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the present invention in anembodiment that incorporates different lengths of purse modules.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a belt with a single attached purse, usingthe fastener snaps as the method of attachment.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

-   21. side purse module, with a pocket on one side-   22. pocket-   23. purse module with attached strap-   24. strap-   25. zipper-   26. longer-length purse module with attached strap-   27. male snap-   28. female snap-   29. snap head cover for female snap-   30. female snap exposed without cover-   31. male snap exposed without cover-   32. animal leash-   33. clip-   34. animal collar-   35. animal identification tag-   36. ring (for attaching animal identification tag)-   37. buckle-   38. wristlet strap-   39. swivel snap clip-   40. fringe with snaps module-   41. bracelet-   42. wider bracelet-   43 snap covers for male snaps-   44 belt-   45 holes in the belt

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the present invention in a typicalembodiment configuring the three purse modules together: the pursemodule with attached strap 23, and the two side purse modules 21, 21,that do not have attached straps. In this embodiment, ach of the sidepurse modules 21,21 have a pocket on one side, (although in otherembodiments they could instead of no or two purse pockets). In thisembodiment the two side purse modules 21, 21 are attached to thestrapped purse section module 23 with a system of fastener snaps andfastener snap covers, with some male snaps 27 and some female snaps 28,that also include a component referred to as decorative snap covers forfemale snaps 29 and for other embodiments will include decorative snapcovers for male snaps 43, which is shown in other illustrations. In thisparticular embodiment the strap 24, is attached to the purse sectionmodule 23, by being sewn, although other embodiments can have the strap24, attach to the purse section module via other forms of fasteners suchas sewn on ring with mating hook or clips, or snaps, or Velcro or othermanners. In this embodiment the purse module with strap 23, is comprisedof material including six male snaps 27, with three male snaps on eachside, thus allowing this purse module with strap 23, to attach to twoside purse module 21, 21. In this embodiment, each side purse module 21,is comprised of material including six female snaps 28, with threefemale snaps on each side. All snaps in this embodiment are all ofidentical distance apart from each other on all sides in order that thepurse modules may attach to other purse modules.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking down on the present invention in atypical embodiment configuring the three purse modules together: thestrapped purse module 23, with attached shoulder strap 24, and the twoside purse modules 21 and 21, each attached to the strapped purse module23, with fastener snaps male 27, and female snaps 28, that include acomponent on top of each of them referred to as decorative snap coversfor female snaps 29.

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the presentinvention in a typical embodiment configuring the three purse modulestogether: the strapped purse section module 23, which has the attachedshoulder strap 24, and the two side purse modules 21 and 21, eachattached to the strapped purse module 23, with fastener snaps male 27,and female snaps 28, and for the outer sides of side purse modules 21and 21, there are included components on top of each exposed female snapreferred to as decorative snap covers for female snaps 29. In thisembodiment, there are decorative snap covers on both exterior sides ofthe assembled purse, so no matter how many purse modules there are thatare combined, the purse always has a finished look. There will be madeavailable a variety of different decorative fastener covers. In thisembodiment of the invention, the fasteners are snaps and the fastenercovers are snap covers that can be made of metal or resin or plastic orglass or crystal or bamboo or wood or other materials or fabrics. Inthis embodiment the center or purse module with strap attached iscomprised of male fasteners, and the side purse modules (each with apocket) are comprised of female fasteners. The pocket 22, sewn on theside purse module 21, allows versatility, as the side purse module canbe turned so the pocket faces the exterior, giving easy access to thewearer, or the pocket may be turned to face toward the center pursemodule with strap, and thereby be hidden from view. The pocket notexposed to the exterior may provide the wearer with a more formalappearance if desired. One or two pockets exposed to the exteriors mayprovide the user with more easy access storage space. This embodiment inFIG. 3 is the same embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Please note, it is possible in other embodiments to reverse the male andfemale fasteners so that purse modules with straps may have female snapson them and pocketed purse modules have male snaps on them. It is alsopossible in other embodiments to have male fasteners on one side of thestrapped purse module and female fasteners on the other side of thestrapped purse module and to do the same with the side purse modules.The position of the female versus male snaps on the wearable andnon-wearable accessories may be reversed as well. The preferredembodiment in FIGS. 1,2,3 and 11 are preferred but can be reversed ormodified for the purse system to work well.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracelet embodiment, which functionsseparately as a bracelet fashion accessory and also functions as astorage system for decorative snap covers, in this instance decorativesnap covers for male snaps 43, that fit male snaps 27 that are attachedto the bracelet 41. The decorative snap covers for male snaps 43, willalso able to be placed over exposed snap sections of the exposed malesnaps 31 on the strapped purse module 23, when that specific pursemodule is not connected on either one or both sides to another pursemodule. In this particular bracelet embodiment, there is a flexiblebracelet composed of various leather or fabric or metal materials 41,and attached to this bracelet piece 41, are two exposed female snaps 30,allowing for size adjustment to be attached with the one exposed malesnap 31. The six decorative snaps on this particular embodiment of thebracelet are decorative snap covers for male snaps 43, that fit over themale snaps 27 on the bracelet. The six decorative snaps covers that fitover male snaps 43, can be moved to also fit onto a strapped pursemodule 23, which has six exposed male snaps 27, if it is not at the timeattached to one or two side purse section modules 21, 21.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracelet embodiment, which functionsseparately as a bracelet fashion accessory and also functions as astorage system for snap covers 29, that can be placed over exposed snapsections of one or more purse module 21 or 21, when that specific pursemodule is not connected on either one or both sides to another pursemodule. In this particular bracelet embodiment, there is a flexible widebracelet composed of various leather or fabric or metal materials 42.Attached to this wider bracelet piece 42, are two exposed female snaps30, allowing for size adjustment to be attached with the one exposedmale snap 31. The twelve fastener snaps on this particular embodiment ofthe bracelet are female snaps 28 that have on top of them decorativesnap covers for female snaps 29, that also will fit over female snaps28, so that the decorative snap covers for females 29, may be moved toalso fit onto one or more than one side purse section module 21, whichhas multiple exposed females snaps 28, if one or more of the side pursemodules 21 is not at the time attached to one or two strapped pursesection modules 23.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an animal leash embodiment which functionsboth as an animal leash, a coordinated or unique accessory to thevarious purse modules and this animal leash 32, functions also as partof the purse modular storage system. In this particular embodiment ofthe animal leash, there is an animal leash, which could be comprised ofvarious fabrics or leathers, a clip made of plastic or metal, which isdesigned to connect to an animal collar. There are also on thisembodiment of the animal leash 32, several decorative snap covers forfemale snaps 29, attached to several female snaps 28, in which the snapcovers for female snaps 29, will pop off and can be attached to coverany uncovered exposed female snaps 28 on one or more purse sectionmodules 21, when the snaps on the purse modules are not in use beingconnected to one or more other purse modules 23.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an animal collar embodiment which functionsboth as an animal collar, a coordinated or unique accessory to the pursemodules and as part of the purse modular storage system. In thisparticular embodiment of the animal collar, there is a flexible oradjustable animal collar made of leather or fabric 34, that isadjustable or flexible with elastic or in this case a buckle 37. Also onthe collar 34, there is a ring 36, that can have an animalidentification tag 35, attached. Also on the collar 34, there areseveral male snaps 27, with detachable decorative snap covers for malesnaps 43, in which the snap covers for male snaps 43, come off and canbe attached to cover the exposed male snaps 27, that are on one or morepurse modules 23, when these male snaps 27 are not in use beingconnected to one or more purse modules 21.

Pets, in particular small dogs are often taken or carried by peopleduring their daily routines, to work, errands, in cars and even planes.Emotional therapy dogs can even accompany a person into a restaurant.There is a growing trend for canine companions to be well dressed andwell accessorized and the present invention functions as a method for aperson to coordinate their purse and accessories with their animalaccessories. This trend perhaps started by celebrities has become quitepopular. This invention particularly addresses the need and desires ofindividuals to have identically matching or coordinated accessories.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a purse embodiment of a side pursemodule 21 and configuring it to have an attachable wristlet strap 38. Inthis embodiment the wristlet strap 38 has a female snap 28, and adetachable decorative snap cover for female snaps 29, to coordinate orbe uniquely different than the decorative snap covers for female snaps29, which are in this embodiment fastened onto the female snaps 28 thatare on a purse side section module 21. The attachable wristlet strap 38,can attach in various manners to the purse, in this embodiment it isattached with a swivel snap clip 39, to the rectangular pull of thezipper 25.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a purse embodiment of a strapped pursemodule 23, that has an attached strap 24, and it is configured in thisembodiment to have an attachable fringe with snaps module 40, that isattached to the purse module via the snap system. The system is suchthat the fastener snaps are an identical distant apart on both thefringe module and the purse module, so that the fringe module and thepurse module attach easily. In this embodiment, the fringe with snapsmodule 40, is comprised of material such as leather or metal or fabric,and decorative snap covers for male snaps 43, that attach onto theexposed male snaps 27 that are on the strapped purse section module 23.

FIG. 10 A is an illustration showing a bracelet 41 that has beenconfigured in this embodiment with an attachable fringe with snapsmodule 40, that can be used as a coordinated or unique accessory and thebracelet also functions as a storage module for the fringe with snapsmodule 40. This fringe with snaps module 40, can also be worn on a pursesection module to provide a dramatically different appearance. Thefringe length can be of any length and of various materials such asfabric, leather, pleather etc. and can completely modify the funkinessand even the overall dimensions of any bracelet and or purse module. Inthis embodiment, the fringe with snaps module 40, is comprised ofmaterial such as leather or metal or fabric, and decorative snap coversfor male snaps 43, that can be attach onto the exposed male snaps 27that are on the bracelet. When the bracelet is not worn as an accessoryand when the fringe with snaps module 40, is not on a purse module suchas 23, the bracelet can be used as part of the storage system to storethe fringe with snaps module 40.

FIG. 10 B is an illustration of the same bracelet as in FIG. 10 A, whenit is a closed bracelet, as it would be when wrapped around a person'swrist, utilizing the exposed male snap 31 and one exposed female snap 30and snapping them together. All other aspects of the illustration inthis embodiment are the same as in FIG. 10 A.

FIG. 11 is an exploded schematic perspective view, showing a purseembodiment in which, there are two strapped purse modules 23, 23, eachwith an attached strap 24, 24, which can be of varying lengths and alsoof adjustable lengths. In the present embodiment of the invention, thesetwo strapped purse modules 23 and 23, are each attached separately tothree separate side purse section modules 21, 21,21. Also denoted inthis view are several, exposed uncovered female fastener snaps 28, andthe exposed uncovered male fastener snaps 27, and the visible decorativesnap covers for female snaps 29. This illustration shows a typical purseembodiment composed of the five purse modules 21, 23, 21, 23, 21. Inthis embodiment a pocket 22, which is on one side of the side pursesection module 21 is arranged so it is on the very exterior, so it iseasily reachable for the person holding the purse. This embodiment alsoshows how utilizing two strapped purse modules 23 and 23, can allow thewearer to wear two straps both for decorative and functional reasons.Wearing two shoulder straps can allow the user to carry more weight inthe purse.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the invention in an alternative embodimentcomprising two purse modules of different lengths, each still able toconnect with another purse module as the fasteners connecting them areinline and also spaced apart from each other by equal distance of eachother on both sides of both purse modules. In this embodiment, thestrapped longer-length purse section module 26, is fastened together toa side purse module 21. The outer fasteners on the side purse module 21,are female snaps 28, and they have snapped onto them decorative snapcovers for female snaps 29. The fasteners are spaced so that the sidepurse module 21 still can simply be attached to the bigger purse module26. This placement of the fasteners allows for the shape of the purse inthis embodiment to appear very different than a purse in the embodimentof FIG. 1, and yet the side purse module in this case, can be used forboth embodiments. Versatility and compatibility are what makes thispurse modular system desirable to the user. In addition, by utilizingvarious purse modules and fringe with snap modules and decorativefastener covers and wearable accessories in many different ways can beeconomic to the user as well.

FIG. 13 is an illustration showing a purse embodiment of a purse module21, that is configured to a belt 44. The wearer now can wear the pursehands free by having a purse belt. The system is such that at least twoof the fastener snaps on the belt are an identical distant apart as thatof the purse module 21, so that the snaps may engage each other. In thisembodiment, the belt 44 has male snaps 27, with snap covers for malesnaps 43. Connecting the belt to the purse module, not seen in thisillustration are on the belt, three male snaps 27, and on the pursemodule on the backside not seen on this illustration are three femalesnaps 28. Visible on this illustration on the side module 21 that isshown are three female snaps 28, with three snaps covers for femalesnaps 29. The zipper 25, is position on the top of the purse module 21so there is easy access to the user. There are holes on the belt 45, sothat the belt is adjustable and there is a buckle 37, on the belt toconnect one side of the belt to the other to wear around a user's waistor hips.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular purse system comprising: A plurality ofpurse modules with fasteners attached to at least two sides of at leasttwo purse modules so that the purse modules can be connected togetherwith the fasteners.
 2. The purse system of claim 1, wherein fastenercovers are provided to cover any exposed fasteners after the pursemodules have been attached to each other.
 3. The purse system of claim2, wherein the system includes one or more wearable accessories thatincorporate fasteners that will attach to the fastener covers.
 4. Amodular purse system comprising, a plurality of purse modules withfasteners attached to at least two sides of at least two purse modulesso that the purse modules can be connected together with the fasteners,and at least one purse module incorporates a pocket on only one side ofthe purse module, and identical fasteners on at least two sides of thepurse module, and fastener covers to cover any exposed fasteners afterthe purse modules have been attached to each other.
 5. The purse systemof claim 1, wherein the fasteners comprise at least one of: snaps,magnets, buttons, hook and pile.
 6. A modular purse system comprising, aplurality of purse modules with fasteners attached to at least two sidesof at least two purse modules so that the purse modules can be connectedtogether with the fasteners, a belt with fasteners attached to the belt,wherein the fasteners on the belt can be mated with the fasteners on oneof the purse modules so that at least two of the fasteners on the pursemodule can be attached to at least two of the fasteners on the belt. 7.The modular purse system of claim 6, wherein the fasteners on the beltcan be mated with fastener covers that can be interchangeably attachedto fasteners on at least one purse module.